Lawmakers kill Baldacci’s seat belt law
AUGUSTA (AP) – A bill that sought to tighten up Maine’s seat belt law so it would become a primary offense was rejected without debate Thursday by the House of Representatives, ending its chances of passage this year.
Gov. John Baldacci had called for a law authorizing police to cite an adult motorist or passenger for failing to wear a seat belt. Under existing law, police can only cite adult motorists on seat belt violations if they are stopped for another infraction.
In proposing the tougher law earlier this year, Baldacci said he had avoided serious injuries by wearing a seat belt during an accident he had been involved in in 2004, and said a stronger law would prevent injuries and deaths while avoiding millions of dollars in medical costs.
The bill’s defeat came just days after state police announced they are part of a national “Buckle Up-No Excuses” campaign, which is to continue through June 5. More than 80 police departments in the state are part of the campaign.
The seat belt bill foundered after the Maine Chiefs of Police Association expressed reservations about sharply increasing fines for failing to wear a seat belt.
In other highway safety issues, a bill that would have required all motorcyclists to wear helmets has been killed for this session. The bill was the first of its kind in the state since 1989.
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Students from Baxter School sign national anthem
AUGUSTA (AP) – Three Maine students performed the national anthem for the Maine House of Representatives to open Thursday’s session, but not a note was heard.
The students from the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf used sign language to communicate the words of the “Star Spangled Banner.” After their rendition, representatives and guests applauded, also in sign language.
The three students, Kim Marr of Scarborough, Ashley Gorton of Eliot and Clayton Marr of Westbrook, also signed the anthem for Gov. John Baldacci and were formally welcomed by the Senate.
Their State House appearance came as a bill to change the name of the Governor Baxter School in Falmouth continued its way toward passage.
To better reflect the range of programs provided to the deaf, the school would get an expanded moniker: Maine Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf.
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